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Jack Arata Obituary
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Memories and Condolences
for Jack Arata
John P Fischner
May 30, 2021
Jack and I were friends through our shared passion for dinosaurs and their related collectibles. We met through Prehistoric Times (the magazine) and enjoyed a long distance friendship for what seemed like a lifetime. It was all too brief, in fact. We met once at the Tuscon Gem and Mineral Show where I displayed my dinosaur art. It was kind of a half way meeting point for us, I from Texas and him from CA. One of my greatest regrets is not taking the trip the rest of the way out to see him and his place out there. It was a hard lesson to learn. I still miss him. He was one of a kind.
Gary Williams
March 9, 2019
It hardly seems as though six years have flown by. I think of Jack often and how kind he always was to my late wife Glenda who passed away last February. Maybe they have met somewhere and are sitting around talking about dinosaurs and snow leopards. Miss you still Jack.
Gary Williams
Toronto, Canada
Mark Young
March 5, 2019
It's very hard to believe that six years have gone by since Jack passed. I still have the Orsenigo dinosaurs that I got from Jack 15 years ago and of course think of him every time I look at them. Jack and I were friends for many, many years, but oddly we never met in person. We had 100's of phone calls together to discuss space toys and dinos, and vowed to meet one day at the West Coaster Toy Soldier Show ever year....but somehow something always got in the way. Rest in peace my friend.
Mike Fredericks
March 5, 2019
You are still in my thoughts buddy, these nine years since you passed. I picture you riding a dinosaur in your prehistoric zoo in heaven. Bless you, pal.
Tom Brody
March 24, 2018
This is to express respect and a fond memory for Mr. Jack Arata. I knew Jack Arata from summer school at U.C. Berkeley, from the summer session of 1970. We had a discussion of an album by Steve Miller Blues Band. This was his Brave New World album, released in 1969. In view of Mr. Arata's interest in science fiction, it should be noted that this album contains the song, "Space Cowboy." For this summer session, we lived in the Ida Sproul Hall dormitory in Unit Three. Mr. Arata was born only two months earlier than me. After this summer session, we did not keep track of each other.
Paul Gruendler
May 14, 2013
Ever the hobby friend. He will be missed... may all of his beloved creatures end up in museums - they are THAT important!
Jack in 1978 outside his Brentwood house
Sherri
May 2, 2013
Thank you, Jack, for your quiet and true friendship, our many drives up the coast, lazy shopping days at our favorite used book stores, trips to Mr. Mopps hunting for models for illustrations, showing me how to design a good composition and "paint the air," offering your help whenever it was needed, and being the kind, generous, understated, and completely authentic person you were. I miss you terribly, as will all your friends and the many broken and abandoned cats who wandered
into your yard. We were lucky to know you.
April 16, 2013
I just learned yesterday of Jack Arata's passing. What a nice, friendly and accommodating individual he was! I regret now having never met him in person although we did converse on the phone several times. Since late 1996 we stayed in touch via E-mail. I consider him to have been our talented, enthusiastic "staff artist" of Dinosaur World, 9 issues of which were printed between 1996 to 2000. I also valued his illustrations appearing in 5 of my books. Jack and I both shared a love for Port Orford's "Prehistoric Gardens." We often would trade thoughts & observations concerning baseball, and as he was a Giants fan there would be banter about how his team predictably walloped mine (the Cubs) once again. It was a shock to hear this news. Yet I feel very thankful to have known him and I will miss our intermittent communications. My sincere condolences to his family.
Allen A. Debus
Gary & Glenda Williams
March 21, 2013
Our condolances to Jack's family in this very sad moment. Jack was a good and caring friend to us both for many years, and he will be greatly missed. He was so very generous with his time and always willing to assist others in any dinosaur/prehistoric animal project, or answer any question another collector would pose for him. Jack was unstinting in his providing of first-class artwork for the old DINOSAUR WORLD magazine, and was always ready with candid advice and critical, but friendly, comments. The amusing emails and long phone chats about a multitude of subjects will be greatly missed. It is so sad Jack was taken from us all too soon. We hope his vast collection will remain intact and be curated and displayed by some institution or private collector. Jack would certainly be pleased for generations of future dinophiles to be able to see the fruits of his decades of work in assembling & preserving a world-class collection of prehistoria. Jack will not soon be forgotten by us..kindness & generosity will always be remembered. You were a class act Jack.
Ulrich Raue
March 20, 2013
Thank you Ron for inform me. I´m very sad to hear of Jack`s passing.
One day I´ve got an email from a dinosaur collector from United States, he ask me about a diorama with a lot of NF dinosaurs he has seen on a photo. He ask me for help to find out, who has made the diorama. I told him, it´s me who made this.
The collector was Jack and from this day, we had contact over more than 10 years. He was always there, when I needed some help. Thank you Jack for all your information of prehistoric animals. You were a great collector and specialist!
My condolences to Jack´s family, I feel with you.
Ulrich Raue
Germany
richard mirissis
March 20, 2013
can't get over it! i am still in shock!!! we have known each other for years. we both shared the loss of another friend,RIFF SMITH, back a few years. Riff and i were almost neighbors here, on staten island, back in the '70s. anyway, my complete sympathies to all of jack's family. my sympathies also, to all of jack's friends. i am still in disbelief!!! we only just spoke a few days ago!! rest in peace,jack. you are already missed,pal.
John Fischner
March 19, 2013
I want to thank Ron for calling me today. The news of Jack's passing hits me like a hammer. First, let me send condolences to all the Arata family. I hope you valued and enjoyed his friendship as much as I did. We have been friends for well over a decade and I never met a kinder, more generous and talented person. We shared our life long enthusiasm for prehistoria and collectibles, and art like a couple of kids. Always open, honest, and without envy.That is a rarity among collectors. Jack was well known as a craftsman and was known around the world for his expert restoration skills.He was also an expert in collectibles, although he was so soft spoken and unassuming you would never know it. He taught me a lot. He was a real artist with an illustration style all his own. I am proud to have one of those rarities for my own. I don't even remember how we met anymore. We have been just been friends forever. And Heaven won't be complete until I see him again.
I miss you already,Jack.
Ken Proffitt
March 18, 2013
My family and I are deeply saddened to her of Jack's passing. He was a generous person who shared his love of the Earth's past with many. God be with you, Jack.
Ken Proffitt
March 18, 2013
Although I missed a few chances to meet Jack I knew him as a friend. We shared the hobby of dinosaur figure collecting and while I was still collecting would be in contact with Jack on a regular basis. He was genreous in his trading and repairing broken Millers for free. I think most will remember Jack for his generosity, his interest in the Earth's past and just being a regular guy. God be with you, Jack.
Jeff Quinn
March 17, 2013
I've known Jack for over 12 yrs and he was always knowledgeable and friendly with our common hobby interest- dinosaurs. Even though he lived across the country, he stopped by my house a few years back along with fellow friends and collectors Joe DeMarco and Dean Walker to talk shop. That meant a lot to me. Your gonna be missed Jack.
Jerry Campbell
March 16, 2013
Jack was a friend that I have not known for very long, but was a friend that I talked with by telephone and visited with in the summer. He was a very good man and knowledgeable about dinosaurs and collectable toys. My wife and I will miss him very much. Thanks for the good times and memories. Jerry & Joetta Campbell, Princeton, Indiana.
Lenard Carvelo
March 15, 2013
God Bless You Jack, You Have Been A True
Friend Over The Years, I Learned A Lot From You Concerning The J.H. Miller Dinosaurs, Thanks For All The Hundreds
Of E-Mails Over The Many Years, Your
Artistry, Wit, And Compassion To Help People Will Not Go UN-Noticed. The Best
Friend A Broken Miller Dinosaur Ever Had Was Jack Arata, He Was The First To
Rescue, And Restore These Millers, Truly A Unique Talent. I Will Truly
Miss You My Friend, Until We Meet Again....Rest In Peace...God Bless You Always.
James Hayes
March 15, 2013
Jack was more than a friend, more than an acquaintance - he was a confidant, a mentor, and as cherished as any family member. A true giant of a man has parted from this world, and leave an emptiness that will always be felt.
Barry Goodman
March 15, 2013
Jack was a generious great guy. I knew he for many years. He loved fixing my wax miller figurines for free! A truly generious gem we will all miss. Rest in Peace, there is a special place for you in heaven! Sincerely, Barry Goodman.
Larry Blincoe
March 14, 2013
I was greatly saddened to hear that Jack has left us. Jack has been a good friend for over two decades. Although we were separated by a continent, I probably spent more hours conversing with Jack via phone or email than most of the people I know. He was a great friend, a talented artist, and one of the most generous people I've ever met. Farewell Jack, you will be missed.
Jack doing what he loved.
Joe DeMarco
March 14, 2013
Ronald Vasquez
March 14, 2013
My condolences to Jack's family. He was a very good person,talented artist and dear friend. I grew up on a farm in Southern Colorado so we hit it off right away. He will be greatly missed by many of us. Rest in peace pal.
Shopping for dinosaurs at DinosaurLand in White Post Va. 9/2007
Dean Walker
March 14, 2013
It seems like only last week that I visited Jack at his home for a few days, but it was actually over two years ago. And It also seems like just yesterday when he came East to do some museum hopping with Joe, Larry and me for a few days. What a great time that was. Jack was certainly a unique individual. He wasn't out to impress people. He was opinionated and true to himself. He was Jack. And anyone who knew Jack knew how he was, and we loved him for it. He was also a humble and non-imposing fellow, quick to share his knowledge and love of the hobby that has held many of us together for so long. I will miss Jack, his dry humor, his love of a deal, and his great knowledge and willingness to help folks. Thank you Jack. You will be missed by many.
Mike Fredericks
March 14, 2013
I am so saddened to hear this news and give my deepest condolences to Jack's family. Jack called me in 1995 with questions about dinosaurs after seeing a copy of my magazine for dinosaur fans and has been a close friend ever since. He and my co-writer Riff, who passed away a few years ago, were also friends. I know they are together with their beloved dinosaurs in Heaven and I hope that when I die I can join them. I live an hour away and offer my services to help catalog and sell his collection for you if interested. Jack had agreed to do this for me if I passed before him. 916-985-7986.
Nancy DeGuire
March 14, 2013
Jack was a great person, fellow animal lover and faithful neighbor and friend to us. He will be missed. Blessings to his family and friends.
Nancy and Gary DeGuire
Joe DeMarco
March 14, 2013
My deepest sympathy to the Arata family. Jack was my best friend even though we lived 3000 miles apart. We spoke daily for the past 25 years and there's a gigantic hole in my heart right now. He was a man extraordinaire, a paleo-artist supreme and a collector of rare antiquities but first and foremost a person of the highest quality. I cannot express to the Arata family enough how much I am going to miss him. There is a void in my life which I know can never be filled. God Bless You Jack. God Bless You.....on behalf of my entire family I want to thank you for being a part of my life all these years. You made the world a better place and you made me a better person. You stuck with me through my early days in the hobby of collecting but remained with me when it all fell apart. I shall never ever ever forget that nor you my friend.
--Love Ya partner
Joe DeMarco
Mark Young
March 14, 2013
I met Jack through our mutual interests in collecting space toys and dinosaurs. He was extremely curious and knowledgeable about both, and we spent many enjoyable hours over the past 15 years discussing our hobby. He was a great friend to me and I will miss him dearly. My thoughts and prayers go out to all of his family and friends. Mark Young
Brentwood Funeral Home
March 11, 2013
Our thoughts are with the family and friends at this time.
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